CHAPTER VIII.
In which Joe Wrag has a Vision.
They are going, only going,
Jesus called them long ago;
All the wintry time they're passing
Softly as the falling snow.
When the violets in the spring-time
Catch the azure of the sky.
They are carried out to slumber
Sweetly where the violets lie.
As winter slowly wore away, little Nelly's health began to fail. She seemed weary and languid, and poor Benny was at his wits^ end to know what to get her to eat. After spending more than he could really afford in something that he thought would tempt her appetite, he was grieved beyond measure when she would turn away her head and say—
"I's very sorry for yer, Benny, but I canna eat it; I would if I could."
And he would be compelled reluctantly to eat it himself, though he would not mind going without food altogether if only "little Nell" could eat. But he comforted himself with the thought that she would get better when the spring-time came, and the streets were dry and warm. He might
